significantly older

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly older" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, object, or concept that has a considerable age difference compared to another. Example: "The ancient tree in the park is significantly older than the surrounding saplings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there is Elizabeth (Ms. Uggams) who is significantly older -- but not old, he tells her.

The New York Times

He is just 25 now, but admits that he looks and feels significantly older.

The New York Times - Sports

He was, I found out only when he died, significantly older than we were.

The New Yorker

"A lot of online games have a significantly older subscription base".

The New York Times

There were people who were significantly older than me.

The New York Times

He did not give details — organ donation is typically anonymous — but the patient was significantly older, in his late forties.

The New Yorker

The audience it found, then and now, was significantly older than the television average, even for CBS.

The New York Times - Arts

She's significantly older, but he fell madly in love with her when he was a crazy twentysomething bisexual.

The New York Times

He answered my questions in that taciturn, distracted, mildly amused way in which male adolescents talk to anyone significantly older.

The Guardian

He is significantly older than the other rookies and awards himself the nickname Lazarus.

The New York Times - Arts

This child is significantly older and correspondingly easier to identify from photographs.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing ages, use "significantly older" to clearly convey a substantial difference in age between two subjects, providing context for the relationship or situation being described.

Common error

While "significantly older" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "much older" or "a lot older" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly older" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and is used to modify a noun by indicating that something or someone is considerably more advanced in age than something or someone else. This usage is supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significantly older" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a considerable age difference. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across diverse sources, including scientific journals and news media. Its primary function is to provide context by emphasizing the age gap between subjects. While appropriate for formal and informal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual contexts. Common usage involves clearly indicating the subjects being compared to highlight the age disparity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably older

Emphasizes the degree of age difference with a slightly more formal tone.

markedly older

Highlights the noticeable nature of the age difference.

appreciably older

Indicates an age difference that is easily perceived or measured.

substantially older

Stresses the magnitude of the age gap.

noticeably older

Focuses on the ease with which the age difference can be observed.

distinctly older

Suggests a clear and unambiguous age difference.

considerably more senior

Replaces 'older' with 'senior', often used in professional contexts.

much older

A simpler, more direct way to express a large age difference.

well older

An informal way to emphasize the subject's seniority.

elderly

While "elderly" means older, it implies that the person is in old age, so it has a slightly different use case.

FAQs

How do I use "significantly older" in a sentence?

Use "significantly older" to indicate a notable age difference between two subjects, such as "The mentor was "considerably older" than the mentee, bringing a wealth of experience to the relationship".

What are some alternatives to "significantly older"?

You can use alternatives such as "much older", ""considerably older"", or "substantially older" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "significantly older" in formal writing?

Yes, "significantly older" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and precisely conveys a substantial age difference, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What's the difference between "significantly older" and "slightly older"?

"Significantly older" indicates a large and noticeable age difference, whereas "slightly older" suggests a minor or negligible age difference. The choice depends on the degree of age disparity you wish to emphasize.